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The great arch

by Vicki Hastrich

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1411,433,251 (3.75)3
A deeply moving novel linking two centuries, two world wars and two generations inspired by the building of the Sydney Harbour Bridge - an epic story of faith, obsession and love and an ordinary man, an ordinary life, made grand.
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Hastirih tells the story of the Sydney Harbour Bridge through the life of a local pastor, and ordinary man with an extraordinary passion for the Bridge. The story opens with the ageing rector (Ralph Cage) hospitalized due to a stroke. As he lies in his hospital bed, many incidents from the past stir again in Ralph’s memory.

The action shifts continually across five decades. It covers the rector’s youth, his early introduction to industry on the Kalgoorlie minefields, his conversion under the influence of a zealous travelling preacher, his marriage, and his arrival in a parish on Sydney’s North Shore in 1923, exactly the time when construction of the Harbour Bridge is commencing.

‘Ralph can’t believe his luck, that the tiny, neglected parish he was given is destined to become the centre of the nation’s attention for years to come. His own success is assured for, as the bridge grows, so shall the importance of his parish. He swells with pride, feels somehow specially chosen: all his life he has looked for a story to belong to and this is it; he recognizes it, embraces it as it will surely embrace him. He is in the story, part of the story, and he will make it his job to record it all as it unfolds.’

The rector becomes entranced and obsessed by this great arch. So passionate is he about observing and recording every aspect of this triumph of modern engineering he can barely find the time to tend to either his family or his flock. So great is his faith in science and progress he is blind to the hardship endured by the labourers, the toll of deaths and disabilities, and the social and environmental damage done in the process of construction.

Unfortunately Ralph’s dreams end in disillusionment. His endeavours are not appreciated – by anyone. There is no interest in his first volume, and no funds for the second volume. He is not invited to the opening ceremony, and the church hierarchy feels Ralph is being sorely distracted by his involvement with the Bridge.

So great is Ralph's passion that the Bridge itself becomes one of the characters in the novel, presented from ever changing perspectives.

The story is told with engaging warmth, wit and humour. Vicki Hastrich has a great eye for the details which round out characters

This novel is similar in several ways to ‘Everymans’ Rules for Scientific Living’ by Carrie Tiffany - the main character’s a whimsical dreamer, it’s historical, and it’s very much about Australia. It also reminded me how much I enjoyed Hastrich’s earlier novel ‘Swimming with Jellyfish’. ( )
  RobinDawson | Jan 15, 2009 |
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A deeply moving novel linking two centuries, two world wars and two generations inspired by the building of the Sydney Harbour Bridge - an epic story of faith, obsession and love and an ordinary man, an ordinary life, made grand.

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A deeply moving novel linking two centuries, two world wars and two generations inspired by the building of the Sydney Harbour Bridge - this is an epic story of faith, obsession and love and an ordinary man, an ordinary life, made grand.
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